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Heron coaching staff gets Rich

Posted on Wednesday, August 06, 2014

GENEVA, N.Y.-William Smith College Head Rowing Coach Sandra Chu introduced Jason Rich as her top assistant coach for the 2014-15 season. Rich joins the Herons after leading the Rochester Institute of Technology women's rowing program last season.

"I'm very excited to welcome Jason to our staff," Chu says. "He's a fantastic fit for our program and department and his most recent experiences at RIT give him valuable experience within the structure of the Liberty League and the broader world of Division III rowing. His additional certifications as strength and conditioning coach serve to deepen the skill set of the Heron coaching staff. I believe he will be a strong partner to me and be instrumental in moving the team forward."

Rich's Tigers finished second to William Smith in the varsity eight at the 2014 Liberty League Rowing Championships. RIT, which was nationally ranked or receiving votes in the CRCA/USRowing poll for most of the spring racing season climbing as high as No. 14, secured a bronze medal in the second varsity eight at the New York State Championships. The Tigers were also second in the conference with 14 Liberty League All-Academic Team selections, trailing only the Herons' 15 honorees.

Rich has also served as an adjunct instructor of sports psychology at RIT.

Rich's intercollegiate coaching resume also includes a season as the head coach for the men's and women's rowing teams at SUNY Geneseo as well as a season as an assistant coach at Sarah Lawrence College. Additionally, he has coached with the Long Island Rowing Club in Centerport, Genesee Waterway Center in Rochester, and the West Side Rowing Club in Buffalo.

Rich is a certified strength and conditioning specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a level 1 sports performance coach by USA Weight Lifting, and also holds several training certifications from Crossfit.

A standout oarsman as a student at Binghamton University, Rich graduated with a bachelor's degree in history in 2011. He earned a master's degree in coaching and athletic administration this year from Concordia University in Irvine, California.

The 2013-14 William Smith varsity eight won the petite final at the NCAA Division III Rowing Championships. The Herons won gold medals in all four events (V8, 2V8, N8, V4) at the Liberty League Championships and placed all four crews on the podium at the New York State Championships. The William Smith varsity four secured a bronze medal at the ECAC National Invitational Rowing Championships.